Getting a small business off the ground isn’t always easy. But progressing and growing it in a way that’s sustainable over the long-term represents an even bigger challenge. It’s a battle you’ll be waging on many different fronts. Get any one of them wrong, and your business’s growth might be permanently stunted.
Let’s run through a few tips that’ll allow you to get your business to the next level.
Using social media the right way
Social media provides several powerful tools for connecting with your would-be customer base. You might suppose that you’ll need to maintain a presence on every single social network – but this isn’t quite the case. It’s usually better to really focus on one or two of the main networks, as this is where the majority of your audience will be spending their screen time. Look at the demographics you’re targeting, and prioritise your social media accordingly. For example, most older people are going to be on Facebook, while younger ones are probably going to be on Tiktok.
Manage your reputation
Online review sites are a great way to indicate to potential customers that your business is worth the time. Encourage your customers to leave positive reviews for you on Google. You might want to save this for loyal customers, as they’re the ones most likely to leave a five-star review. Whether the review is positive or negative, it’s worth replying to. Businesses who respond tend to be viewed in a more positive light – especially if they’re responding in an even-handed manner to an unreasonable review.
Let your audience grow with you
You’ll want to do as much as possible to allow people to buy from you. That might mean providing a range of payment options. Services like Clearpay and Klarna will allow you to spread payments over a longer period, potentially allowing purchases to be made that might not have been feasible before.
Introduce Loyalty Programs
A loyalty program will incentivise customers to come back for repeat purchases. They might get special privileges and discounts as a reward for their loyalty, along with incentives to spread the word to other people.
Pop-up stores
Getting your product out to a wider audience might mean setting up shop in an unfamiliar location. This is where a pop-up store can be a potent marketing tool. You don’t have the overheads of a traditional store to worry about, which gives you much greater flexibility.
Taking inspiration from local SMES
If you’d like a little inspiration, there are a few success stories worth paying attention to.
Savvy Baker is a café in Leeds, which began in 2022 by handing out brownies to friends, and which now has a fixed premises with a six-strong team. The business has grown largely thanks to Instagram promotion and pop-up shops.
Then there’s the Little Yorkshire Scone Company, which achieved a similar ascent, moving into a commercial kitchen within nine months of its launch in 2022. Beginning by creating gift baskets for friends during lockdown, owner Kat Fisk has now moved into premises in the iconic Tetley building in Leeds.
